The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-01-09
DEPARTURE OF THE ASTOR
FAMILY FOR EUROPE. WHERE
THEY ARE TO he ABSENT
For Six MOnths-They Leave New
York Society IucOnsOlabie-
Their Berths ON the Steamer.
,ooRs..rospnsou OF TEE ArPEAL.l

NEW YORK, January I.-SocletY
feels like chid that has come to The
city with IFS mother aud got lost.
This sense Of helpless bswilderment
is all on account Of MIS-. William
Astor, who has departed for Eur1pe
t. he absent at least six months. Mrs..
William Astor is ,he matron OF more
swell entertainments than any other
three ladies 10 town. The Pairiarchs
aud the Junior Patriarchs and the
HiOh.tibby-hob Royals will hardly
know how to act without the con.
descension Of her presence. Mr.. and
Mrs. Astor sailed in La B'etsgne.
They occupied the "chambre dc
IT. xe." This is a gorgeous, and for a
boat, vast affair, aud is In reality a
suite of apartments rather than a
s,a,eroom. There ia none OF your
upper and lower berth p.ebeianism
about it. The sleeping places are
large, genuine bsds of the most sub.
stantial and elegant design. They are
not suspended from the teiling, either,
nor are they swung on axles. The
long headed, much travelled managers
OF the line have learned that there ia
no royal road or by way that circum-
vents the rolling pillows. Mr.. Ast1r
will feel Just as sad while he gazes
at his gilded bed posts rs will the oc-
cupant of the upper berth for'ard, or
even the humble communist in the
,eerage. A libation of molten gold
would not appease fret1ul Neptune,
but an offering Of the stamped coin
will secure the kindly Offices Of cd
brandy, new lemons aud other things
congenia' to tired stomach, and hav-
| ing heard about these facts Mr.. Astor
provided himself accordingly. The
"chambre de luxe" is divided into
two main rooms; one a sleeping room
and the other a parlor. In these, II
the vessel were kept tied up to the
deck, the traveller could be COL tent
aud comfortable for q week or two
| On the raging main the riding up
holstsTed chairs will lose their charm.
Mr.. Astor is getting within sight Of
old age, and he discovered with ex-
ceedlng thoroughness all the possibili.
ties of sickness at sea and the means
for preventing 1t, Some OF the
schemes for avoiding 1t did not recon-
mend themselves with much force,
but one in particular pleased him
nightly, and led to his taking int o
the chambre de luxe two or three
baskets of very dry champagne.
A miniature drug store fol owed,
in which the principal materials
were bromide Of potasf ium and
hydroc hlora'e Of cocaine. These were
accompanied by physicians Drescrip-
tions for their use. AS the tina Tor
departure drew near he applied vari'
GUS substances compounded into
vulgar looking pills TO his system in
order to get the liver into prime con-
dition. And still it was not without
dread that he awoke on the day Of
sailing, Taking the advice Of an ex-
perienced friend he ate hearty meal
Just before going to the steamer, but
the viands Of this repast wer prepared
with the utmost care to eliminate all
grease and fat from them. Then, hav-
ing done all that sc ence and supersti'
ton could suggest, except enc thing,
he stepped across the gang plank and
surrendered to the uhtamed mercies
of the waves. This one exception
was a suggestion that he wear
next the cutice OF the aldo.
men sheet of ordinary writing paper
Many people firmly believe In this
preventive, but Mr.. Astor shook his
head obviously and refused to try It,
He was also told by bis friend who
accompanied him to the deck OF the
steamer that a very sure preventive
was to avoid going below, to remain on
deck aud look at the horizon, the
zenith or any other point except the
rigging or bulwarks OF the steamer
Mr.. Aston thought this was cIueI
Joke, but being assured Of it's earnest
nese, drew his chin into the collar
said "br.r-r-r.o.o-ool" and went be
low. HENRY ADAM.